Breast Cancer isn’t really very funny. Parenthood, however, I will admit can be really really funny. And I do try to laugh at myself as often as possible. When you combine That Girl, That Guy, and My Girls, you get a pretty Wacky life. When I was a child, probably when I was learning to read, one of my favorite books was “Wacky Wednesday” by Dr. Seuss. Since we constantly talk about how wacky my oldest is, some Wednesdays I will be sharing what I think are pretty Wacky stories, quotes, and silliness from our lives. Enjoy!

You guys, That Baby is walking. It took a bit. She teased us here and there. She has seemed ready for well over a month. She would take a few steps and slowly sit down in the most controlled manner then just lean forward and take off crawling. Now it is legit walking. Everywhere and anywhere she puts her mind to and takes off toward. Oh and one other little tidbit. She is into everything. I mean obviously, it is part of the age. What isn’t part of the age is how much she likes to help and clean up in her own unique way.

Breast Cancer isn’t really very funny. Parenthood, however, I will admit can be really really funny. And I do try to laugh at myself as often as possible. When you combine That Girl, That Guy, and My Girls, you get a pretty Wacky life. When I was a child, probably when I was learning to read, one of my favorite books was “Wacky Wednesday” by Dr. Seuss. Since we constantly talk about how wacky my oldest is, my Wednesday posts will be sharing what I think are pretty Wacky stories, quotes, and silliness from our lives. Enjoy!

Every one has that thing that can get them out of trouble or get them what they are wanting. We all have that friend who can talk their way into or out of anything. Or the one who can charm their way into great opportunity. For my girls, it is their eyes and smiles. That Baby is just at that phase where you ask her to smile for a picture and bam, out comes the most adorably un-adorable smile. You can’t help but love it because she is truly happy she knows what you are saying and so eager to cooperate. Oh, that smile! [Read more…]

A year ago, a lot of things were happening. All at once. That Baby had been born, but we were just starting the testing and treatments portion of our experience. When I think back to how things were a year ago, I can not even believe what desperation and sadness I was feeling with a newborn when I should have been snuggling and happy and sleep deprived from her, not worry and anxiety. Instead of the joy, I was Holding my Baby and Holding my Breath. If you want to go back to the beginning, here is my very first post or you can always go to the Starting Line page.

Between That Guy and I, one of us was raised an only child and the other not. That means one of us has never really understood the differences between the first and second time around having a baby and the other experienced it first hand. I think our situation for the last year has only really exacerbated the differences. I wouldn’t say That Baby was neglected by any means, it’s just that obviously our attention was divided by two kids to start with at this point and then there were times attention was divided between two kids and cancer.

It seems like since Christmas things have really been going very fast. So many things have happened in our little family! We started off the year with the good news of my surgery results, but the doctor appointments did not stop for me. I still have the Herceptin infusions every few weeks, I had a post-surgical issue that required a follow up appointment, there was an appointment to meet the radiation oncologist and another to get me set up for radiation, then starting radiation daily, physical therapy, follow up dermatology appointment from the rash I had, and other non-cancer related appointments. Add in appointments for the rest of the family and you can imagine why we include our doctors on our Christmas card list!

It has been a fairly busy few weeks in our house, as I am sure it has been in yours! In the midst of all the holiday related magical kid moments, and some less than magical tantrums, we are still having those every day baby firsts and preschooler big moments. Since I am coming out of the chemotherapy treatment fog, I am feeling a bit better and closer to myself (with the exception of my memory!) and it could not be better timing!

With my surgery coming up, there are a few lifestyle type changes I plan to make. Part of the surgery includes removal of lymph nodes. As a whole, it puts me at risk for lymphedema as a side effect. I am pretty certain no one wants lymphedema. At my pre-surgery appointment, they took measurements of the fluid in my body again. The first measurement was when I was still pregnant when we met with the surgeon before we even knew the pathology of my cancer. After surgery, I will be measured again from what I understand and Physical Therapy has taken physical circumference measurements of my arms.

It was very surreal to be home just the three of us at first after really just spending her first day in the hospital. We were able to get unpacked and settled in before my inlaws delivered our dog and stayed to cut our grass and a bit later my parents brought home That Little Girl following her ceremony at preschool. I remember just sitting in our chair holding That Baby and both of us falling asleep before the reality of being home really set it. There is so much I don’t remember about those first few days. Some of that is likely attributed to the normal mom of a newborn haze of constantly nursing, pumping, little naps, and lots of laundry. I felt a little like I was on the outside of my life looking in and trying to remind myself to be present. Knowing I need to really take it all in and enjoy, since this is the last newborn we are going to have. I was always wondering how long I will be here to know her and her to know me.